North Country hiking group sues state over use of trail

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — A trail association is suing the state Office of Parks and Recreation after the agency allowed a snowmobile club to take over a footpath that's part of the North Country National Scenic Trail.

The Oneida Daily Dispatch reports that the North Country Trail Association filed suit in Albany last week after the parks agency handed over use of the mile-long trail in Madison County to the Tri-Valley Trail Riders.

North Country Trail Association Executive Director Bruce Matthews says the trail is a critical link connecting central New York to the Adirondacks as part of the 4,600-mile North Country National Scenic Trail.

The hiking group spent several years clearing the 4-foot-wide trail in the town of Lincoln. To be part of the national trail it has to be foot-traffic only.